Before I start I am going to use the term “the Left” rather than liberal, progressive or Democrat. The Left is anti-capitalist and frankly anti-American values. But unfortunately they are swallowing up the Democratic party and liberals and now push the economic and social agenda in this country. You will have to tell me where you differ from the Left’s philosophies as there many Americans that have been taught to hate conservatives but have no idea how damaging support of the modern Democratic party is.
Actually it’s not silly. The point is there is a reason that in America we treasure liberty, through our words and monuments, more than any other virtue; including equality.
Conservatives have little problem paying taxes for the constitutionally prescribed duties of the federal government. Where in the Constitution is the government given the power to tax from one party to give to another party merely for the purpose of “fairness” however? Is the purpose of a tax code to raise revenue for the function of government in the most efficient manner or for equality? Well, I would argue that the Left favors fairness over efficiency and here is but one example from the 2008 Presidential debates:
GIBSON: All right. You have, however, said you would favor an increase in the capital gains tax. As a matter of fact, you said on CNBC, and I quote, "I certainly would not go above what existed under Bill Clinton," which was 28 percent. It's now 15 percent. That's almost a doubling, if you went to 28 percent.
But actually, Bill Clinton, in 1997, signed legislation that dropped the capital gains tax to 20 percent.
OBAMA: Right.
GIBSON: And George Bush has taken it down to 15 percent.
OBAMA: Right.
GIBSON: And in each instance, when the rate dropped, revenues from the tax increased; the government took in more money. And in the 1980s, when the tax was increased to 28 percent, the revenues went down.
So why raise it at all, especially given the fact that 100 million people in this country own stock and would be affected?
OBAMA: Well, Charlie,
what I've said is that I would look at raising the capital gains tax for purposes of fairness.
They do suggest just that but unfortunately there aren’t enough rich people to tax to shrink the income gap without, as Margaret Thatcher noted, prosperity being lowered for everyone. But when your goal is equality not prosperity that makes little difference.
But here is Al Sharpton who ran for president as a Democrat and has his own show on MSNBC.
The Left has taken the “equality of opportunity” and turned it into the “rights” of entitlement and unearned security. The right to a living wage, the right to healthcare, etc.
Here is another very recent example from a college student in a question asked of Rand Paul.
By the government he means other taxpayers so let’s be clear about that first. Now Philly, what is the great American Experiment? What is the promise of America? That our government would provide equal and maximum opportunity for me to prosper and, through my labor and talents, take care of myself, my family and my community or that government would provide a certain level of security and freedom from want by taking the wages of others?
Actually let’s let the student answer that.
New American values. Just know that when you support the Left you support “new American values.”
Stupid? Remember, this whole debate is on liberty vs. equality. This is a perfect example that...
equality without liberty is tyranny.
Slaves in America had neither liberty or equality but what had to be secured first for the other to occur?
That is why we have a Liberty Bell and a Statue of Liberty. Equality is a natural right and a promise of our country but it cannot be our animating principle. Equality is the animating principle to the Left however. Socialism, Marxism, Communism; all promise equality while the modern Left in America pushes social justice and fairness. You don’t hear Barack Obama talk about prosperity or individual liberty or responsibility your hear him talk about "fairness," "collective redemption" and “shared prosperity.”
Does Barack Obama count?
Obama, FDR and the Second Bill of Rights - Bloomberg
Well, to begin with Cass is not being truthful in the opening. The president hardly “emphasizes the importance of free enterprise.” He emphasizes “you didn’t build that”and ”spread the wealth around,” Nor does he “reject equality of result” because all he talks about is “pay their fair share” and “shared prosperity.”
This is FDR’s 2nd Bill of Rights by the way (with a partial list of modern government programs and bureaucracies that support them). All of these the Left seeks to expand regardless of cost, effectiveness or that they are bankrupting the country.
The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation.
(Labor Dept)
The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation.
(minimum wage laws, living wage argument, food stamps)
The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living.
(farm subsidies, Ag Dept)
The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad.
The right of every family to a decent home.
(Sec 8, Community reinvestment Act, Sub-prime loans, Fanny and Freddie mortgage securities)
The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health.
(Medicaid, Obamacare, HHS)
The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment.
(Social security, Medicare, unemployment compensation)
The right to a good education.
(student loan guaranties, Dept of Education, and $$$$$)
One several nice discussions we had on the topic.
There isn’t one economic argument for the minimum wage. How is whacking off the lower rungs of the economic ladder or making labor more expensive economically prudent?
Milton Friedman in under a minutes explains:
Philly, please remember that I am talking about Leftism, If something I said doesn't apply to your views I'd love to hear that. But by the same standard, please don't throw things back at me that I didn't say. I didn't say there is no role for a government safety net. No need to pay taxes. I didn't say that government intervention is never needed to end systemic inequality. I didn't say that inequality doesn't exist.